American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What does EHR stand for in the medical coding context?

1. Essential Health Record

2. Electronic Health Record

3. Emergency Health Report

4. Expanded Health Record

The correct answer is: Electronic Health Record

In the medical coding context, EHR stands for Electronic Health Record. This term refers to a digital version of a patient’s paper chart and encompasses a comprehensive record of a patient's medical history, treatment plans, medications, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results. The significance of EHRs lies in their ability to store and manage patient information electronically, promoting more efficient data retrieval and sharing among healthcare providers. This electronic system improves accuracy in patient records, reduces the likelihood of medical errors, enhances coordination of care, and facilitates more efficient billing and coding processes. While the other options represent plausible interpretations, they do not align with the established meaning of EHR in healthcare. Essential Health Record, Emergency Health Report, and Expanded Health Record are not commonly used terms within the medical coding and healthcare industry, highlighting that Electronic Health Record is the definitive acronym and understanding needed for professional coding certification.